Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Though, thinking of how my heat had affected even Clayton… Okay. I get it.
“Thanks, Vanessa. Would have been nice to get a headsup, though.”
She hesitates. “A headsup… on your own heat, Luna?”
For the first time, the title almost feels like it fits. Maybe it’s the mating mark on my neck.
But her question itself makes me snap my mouth closed. How am I supposed to admit that I didn’t realize my heat was coming up again? I should have been on high alert, knowing that we didn’t have suppressants around any longer.
Selene snorts, having gotten the general gist of the situation from my head.
Vanessa shakes her head, but lets my lie stand. “My apologies, Luna. However, as lovely as it is to see you, I’m here with a purpose.”
The seriousness in her voice has me sitting up a little straighter. “What is it?”
Her eyes flick toward Lucas, who inclines his head in her direction. “Speak.”
The order in his words is firm, sending a vague thrill through my body.
“Our wolves have returned from the recent evacuation, but there is a little unrest among the pack. I believe it would be in our best interest to proclaim our Luna’s position. Tonight”
I watch Vanessa carefully, feeling Lucas tense behind me. His reaction sends a ripple of concern through my body. I squeeze his hand, hoping to offer some reassurance.
“What do you mean by proclaiming my position?” I ask, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.
Vanessa’s eyes meet mine, her expression serious. “The Alpha would present you as his Luna to the pack. It’s a formal recognition of your status and role within our community.”
I nod slowly. Normally, I’d imagine such an event would be a grand affair, filled with ceremony and celebration. But given the current state of the packdisplaced, uncertain, and missing far too many of its membersit hardly seems appropriate to make a big production of it.
“Usually, a Luna’s ceremony is quite an elaborate event,” Vanessa continues, echoing my thoughts. “However, given our circumstances, we believe a more subdued approach would be wise.”
As she speaks, my mind drifts to the recent conversation with Kellan. His worried words about potential alpha challenges echo in my memory. With Lucas still disconnected from his wolf… My skin crawls.
We have to avoid that level of discontent among his people.
1 glance at Lucas, studying his face. His jaw is set, tension visible in the lines around his eyes. He doesn’t look pleased with this suggestion.
“This would put Ava in danger,” he says, his voice low and firm. “As an official pack leader, she would be a target.
“She’s already a target,” Vanessa counters. “Everyone’s aware she’s your mate. This would be a great way to boost morale, and cement loyalty among the guards assigned to keep her safe.”
His concern for my safety warms my heart, but I can’t help feeling a surge of determination. His pack needs stability, needs to see strength in its leadership. And if I can provide that, even in some small way, Isn’t it my duty to do so?
Before Lucas can continue his objections, I squeeze his hand again and turn to Vanessa. “I think it’s a great idea, I say, my voice stronger than I expected.
I’d spent so long avoiding responsibility. Putting my position in the pack in the hands of its members, wanting them to approve of me, to want me as their Luna.
There’s no time for that anymore.
I need to keep my mate safe.
Lucas stiffens beside me, clearly caught off guard by my quick agreement. I can almost feel the protest forming on his lips, but I slide off the bed and out of his arms.
Standing on my own two feet seems a little silly, but I need him to understand. I don’t want to be protected any longer. I want to be the one saving him. Saving all of them.
Somehow.
“Lucas,” I say softly, turning to face him. His eyes meet mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their golden depths. “I’m ready to step up. For you and for the pack. You’ve been waiting for this, even if you don’t remember it.”
The words hang between us, heavy with meaning. I see the conflict in his expressionthe desire to protect me warring with the understanding of what the pack needs. The pack he doesn’t remember.
His ties to these strange wolves is almost nonexistent, but his identity as an alpha is bonedeep. He must understand what it means.
This isn’t just about us anymore. It’s about the entire Westwood Pack, a community that’s been through hell and back. They need hope, need to see that their leaders are united and strong. And if I can provide even a fraction of that strength, I have to try. At least until Lucas is whole again.
“Are you sure about this? Lucas asks er torn.
I nod, offering him a small smile. “I am. We’re in this together. You’ve been my strength. Now it’s time for me to help you.
Even if he doesn’t know everything happening, I know he’s aware. He knows his wolf is missing. He understands life as a wolf shifter. An alpha without a wolf is vulnerable.
I can see that understanding in his eyes, feel it in the bond between us.
The tension in his shoulders eases slightly, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me.
“Alright” he says finally, turning back to Vanessa. “We’ll do it. But I want every possible precaution taken. Ava’s safety is paramount. The way the orders slip out of him is so reminiscent of the past.
Vanessa nods, a hint of approval arrangements.
I in her eyes. “Of course, Alpha. We’ll make all necessary
All the necessary arrangements keep Vanessa and Kellan busy.
Someone manages to procure some sort of white, wispy dress that Lisa says will make me look like an angel, but I think looks more like something I’d wear on my honeymoon.
Definitely not something I should wear in public.
“Lucas won’t like it, I predict, scowling at how much of my skin shows beneath the sheer fabric. “Hell, I don’t like it.”
Lisa squints. “I can see your bra. I wonder if we can source a sexy one.”
“This isn’t an ad for lingerie. I’m supposed to be presented as Luna, not as the Alpha’s whore.” Yanking off the flimsy excuse for a dress, my lip curls in distaste. “Who brought this over?” Lisa shrugs. “Some woman. I don’t really know the pack well enough to say who
A frown deepens on my face as I ball up the dress and shove it back into the bag it came in. “Well, whoever she is, she’s got terrible taste.”
We still have the small pile of clothes Kellan had scrounged up for me when I first arrived. They’re not fancy, but they’re practical and comfortable. More importantly, they cover my skin. 1 grab a pair of wellworn jeans and a simple tshirt.
“Are you sure about this?” Lisa asks, poking at the meager selection of clothing. “I mean, it is kind of a big deal, you becoming Luna and all
I shake my head as I pull on the least distressed pair of jeans I can find. “It’s not some grand coronation, Lisa. I don’t need to look like a queen.
“Maybe we should ask one guard to find something else?” Lisa suggests, glancing towards the door.
“No,” I say firmly, tugging a tshirt over my head. “This is fine. It’s who I am, and if the pack can’t accept that, then…” I trail off, not wanting to finish that thought. They have to accept it. It isn’t really their choice. I’m their Alpha’s mate.
But what if choosing me as Luna spurs others into an alpha challenge?
What if, in trying to make it better, I make everything worse…?
Stop trying to borrow trouble before it finds you, Selene says, interrupting my doomspiraling. Lisa, unaware of the thoughts that flashed through my head, just hums as she tosses a shirt back onto the tiny pile of clothes. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
I am sure. The thought of parading around in that gossamer nightmare makes my skin crawl. It’s not just about the dress, really. It’s about what it representslike I’m a Luna made to breed little alpha puppies.
That’s not who I am.
Not who I want to be.
Grimoire’s insistent tugging on our bond leaves me a little offkilter as I ponder my first speech to my people. It’s usually made through the pack bond, but I’ve never been able to use one- leaving me to fret that my obvious defects will also bring weakness instead of strength to Lucas’ position.
Just be yourself. You underestimate how much you have to offer.
I groan. “You’re obligated to love me because we’re bonded. You’re a biased observer.”
I don’t have to. I choose to.
Hah.
“Is she yelling at you for worrying again?” Lisa asks from where she’s standing, staring out the window.
Kellan’s out there somewhere, and as much as she might deny the bond between them, her eyes gravitate to him.
I sigh, grateful for the wardstone of silence in the room. Its presence allows me to voice the fears that have been gnawing at me since this whole Luna business began.